Page 134 of Whiskey Wednesdays

Mikael grinned. “Aw, yes. How do you say it? Priceless, it was priceless.” We all started laughing.

Three weeks later, Connor chartered another private jet to fly us to Seattle for my graduation. He also wanted to reserve an enormous suite at the Four Seasons in downtown Seattle.

I argued with him. “Connor, it’s too much. Dad and I can stay with one of my friends. Or we can find an Airbnb, and we’ll split it.”

He sighed and hung his head for a moment. Then he looked up at me. “You and I need to talk. Come here.” We were in his home office, and he swiveled his chair around and patted his lap.

When I raised an eyebrow at him, he smirked. “I promise, we’ll just talk.”

A few days ago after Elodie left for school, we’d had enthusiastic sex in here, starting on his desk, then in his chair, and then against the wall, before ending up back on his desk. We found out it was the perfect height.

“Come here,” he demanded.

I walked over and sat on his lap, and he curled me into his chest.

He rested his cheek against the top of my head. “I have money. In fact, I have a lot of money. And it makes you uncomfortable.”

I nestled my nose into the crook of his neck and sniffed him. He smelled so good. “Sometimes.”

“There will be times I want to use that money to make our lives better or easier. Can you let me do that? And I promise I’ll talk to you before I make any big purchases. Although I wouldn’t consider this a big purchase.”

“That’s what makes me nervous, McCoy.”

He squeezed me, then kissed the top of my head. “Your graduation is a huge fucking deal, and it’s something that will never happen again. I want us to be together this weekend, and not have to worry about anything.”

“Okay. I understand.”

“Thank you. Elodie and I are looking forward to it, and I think it would be good for her to see. Consider it our graduation gift.”

I also wanted us to stay together, and he had valid points. We were both learning to compromise.

Sighing, I hugged him. “Okay. And thank you. I was thinking about how much a suite at the Four Seasons is going to cost over graduation weekend, let alone chartering a jet. But I do want to show you where I went to school, and take Elodie to some of the places I love in Seattle.”

That Friday morning, I officially graduated. When I looked out and saw my loved ones cheering me on, I got a little teary. It had rained the night before, but the day was sunny and green, and the air smelled like plants and wet earth.

My brother Liam had also flown in for my graduation.

He glared at Connor as he drew me in for a hug. “I can’t believe you’re graduating. Damn, I’m so proud of you.” Liam looked over my shoulder. “Now introduce me to your cradle-robbing boyfriend.”

“Behave yourself.” I smacked his arm.

Elodie tilted her head and looked up at Connor. “Daddy, what’s cradle-bobbing?”

Connor studied Liam. “Cradle-bobbing is when a man loves a woman and plans to marry her as soon as he can get her to say yes, then plans to have babies with her. And really enjoys practicing. Over and over again.”

“Oh, hell,” I groaned and slid my hand down my face. Thank God Dad had gone to the bathroom. Elodie looked thoroughly confused.

“Ouch, man. She’s my sister,” Liam complained.

“Did you get a boo-boo?” Elodie asked Liam. “Because guess what? Belly can make it better.”

“Yeah. She does make things better, doesn’t she?” He finally held out his hand to Connor. “I’m Liam, Isa’s brother. I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but I have serious doubts.”

Connor smirked and shook his hand. “Noted. I’d have serious doubts too if I were you. But I love her and plan to keep her, so I hope we can get along.”

We ate dinner that evening at my favorite seafood restaurant near the Peer. Elodie was fascinated by the octopus Liam had ordered.

“How can the octopus swim if you eat one of its legs?” she asked him, looking down at the grilled, seasoned tentacle on his plate.

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